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# Merlin Cries Foul: No MySpace Equity = No Deal
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/merlin-cries-fo/
- Published: 2008-09-25T02:09:22.000Z
- Updated: 2008-09-25T02:09:22.000Z
- Description: At launch, repertoire from top independents including Koch, Beggars Group and Domino will missing from MySpace Music. Their trade group Merlin, whose members make up 9% of the US digital. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/09/merlin-cries-fo.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Indie Music, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![Merlin_logo_m](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/09/24/merlin_logo_m.jpg "Merlin_logo_m")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/24/merlin%5Flogo%5Fm.jpg)

  
At launch, repertoire from top independents including Koch, Beggars Group and Domino will missing from MySpace Music. Their trade group Merlin, whose members make up 9% of the US digital music market (equivalent to EMI) is still in negotiations with the social networker’s new music destination. The hold up is not payments, but rather getting an equity share as the four major labels have.

“It is incredibly disappointing that MySpace will launch their new service without having finalized a deal with…

the world’s most important independent labels and artists. It  
certainly makes (MySpace CEO) Chris DeWolfe’s public statements, that  
the ‘indie bands are really the heart of MySpace’, ring extremely  
hollow," states Merlin CEO Charles Caldas

“What is absolutely clear, however, is that any independent deal  
struck without an equity component (as was done with the majors), will  
see independent labels face a situation whereby their major competitors  
will profit from the use of their repertoire without an appropriate  
upside opportunity being extended to them by MySpace Music and its  
major label equity partners."

“Whilst Merlin continues our negotiations, we remain extremely  
concerned that with MySpace Music the major record labels are acting  
not only as competitors, but through their equity stakes in the  
venture, as the clients/end user as well. Without an equitable  
participation by independents, that creates a situation that is both  
unhealthy and dangerous."